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Southern Deviled Eggs

Southern deviled eggs with creamy yolk filling are boiled, ice-bathed, then piped for a smooth, classic texture. Bright paprika and fresh chives finish the halved egg whites before chilling.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
chill time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 32 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Southern American
Calories: 260

Ingredients
  

Eggs
  • 12 large eggs
Deviled egg filling
  • 0.5 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp sweet pickle relish
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tsp white vinegar
  • 0.5 tsp sugar
  • 0.25 tsp salt to taste
  • 0.25 tsp pepper to taste
Garnish
  • 0.5 tsp paprika for dusting
  • 2 tbsp fresh chives for snipping

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan
  • 1 pot

Method
 

Boil and cool the eggs
  1. Place 12 large eggs in a pot and cover them with cold water; heat to a boil until bubbling. Visual cue: you should see rolling bubbles across the surface.
  2. Cover the pot, remove from heat, and let the eggs stand for 12 minutes. Visual cue: the eggs should look set around the edges when cracked.
  3. Transfer the eggs to an ice bath for 10 minutes. Visual cue: the shells should feel fully cooled to the touch and look slightly opaque.
  4. Peel the eggs and halve them lengthwise. Visual cue: yolks should remain intact with clean, flat cut faces.
Make the deviled filling
  1. Mash the yolks with mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, white vinegar, and sugar until creamy. Visual cue: the mixture should be smooth and thick enough to hold a piping shape.
  2. Season the filling with salt and pepper to taste. Visual cue: taste-adjusted seasoning should make the flavor pop without being harsh.
Fill, garnish, and chill
  1. Pipe or spoon the filling into the egg white halves. Visual cue: the yolk filling should mound neatly above the egg whites.
  2. Dust the tops with paprika and sprinkle with fresh chives. Visual cue: paprika should create a light, even red-gold dusting.
  3. Chill the deviled eggs until serving. Visual cue: filling should look slightly firmer and egg whites should feel cold.

Notes

For the creamiest filling, mash yolks thoroughly before mixing in the wet ingredients, and chill after filling so the piped tops set. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; freezing is not recommended. For a lighter option, use light mayonnaise and reduce added sugar slightly if your relish is very sweet.